Transformative Language Arts
Transformative Language Arts (TLA) draws upon the power of writing, storytelling, performance, music, and other word arts for community-building, cultural and ecological restoration, health and healing, and personal development and social change.
Core to my life's work is founding TLA in 2000, first as a master's program at Goddard College. From there, it's blossomed into an emerging profession and field of study, naming for many their life calling.
In 2003, I launched the Power of Words conference, which brings together people globally to explore liberation, social change, healing, and community-building through writing, storytelling, theater, spoken word, music, and other arts.
At the 2005 conference, we co-founded the TLA Network, which recently celebrated its 20th year and the 20th Power of Words conference in October, 2025.
The TLA Network is now a flourishing nonprofit offering:
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A certification in Transformative Language Arts
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The annual Power of Words Conference
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Dynamic online classes
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Virtual salons and community writing circles
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A resource library
I've had the joy of co-editing two seminal TLA anthologies, The Power of Words: A TLA Reader (Transformative Language Arts Press) with Janet Tallman, and Transformative Language Arts in Action (Rowan and Littlefield) with Ruth Farmer.
Pictures over the years from the Power of Words conference and Goddard College
